Tips on moving rear axle back half to three quarters inch

[bmbm]

My 66 Bronco will be getting new stock height or up to 1.5" leaf springs (max) installed for future tire size increase from 30' to 31" tires. I currently have some old stock leafs and a 1'' block along with some picnpull F150 coils . Any advice welcome and if a tech article or something similar exists please provide a link. Looking for the easiest method and even half an inch would be good enough for me. I have seen mention of just drilling the axle pad and the u-bolt plate away from the stock hole to accomplish this. Would like to avoid any further modifications unless absolutely needed and understand that lengthening the rear drive shaft may be required. I drive it about 60% on road and 40% on dirt roads but not any heavy duty off road use. I want to start using the Bronco as my daily driver again so getting new springs and shocks package. Probably many Bronco owners are planning this or are in the process of so let me know your strategery please. Thank you.

 

[MonsterBIlly]

I have done this exact thing. Its no biggie. I jist dropped the axle, redrilled and bolted back up. Super easy, i did not need to extend drive shaft. There is plenty of bite.
I moved mine back 1 full inch. The only minor problem was at full tuck my tires would catch the sheet metal under the rear fender. After new bump stops were installed I no longer had an issue.

 

[Broncobowsher]

If getting new springs built, see if they can just build them with the pin offset.

 

[bmbm]

I have done this exact thing. Its no biggie. I jist dropped the axle, redrilled and bolted back up. Super easy, i did not need to extend drive shaft. There is plenty of bite.
I moved mine back 1 full inch. The only minor problem was at full tuck my tires would catch the sheet metal under the rear fender. After new bump stops were installed I no longer had an issue.

Thank you. Good to have this confirmed information. With 37" tires I expect you would need lots of room!

 

[bmbm]

If getting new springs built, see if they can just build them with the pin offset.

That is a good suggestion but as a budgetary move I was just going to get the whole spring/shock package from one of the vendors instead of custom made. Custom made probably out of my price range. Thank you.

 

[billh1289]

I went with something similar to these:

https://dufftuff.com/product/lubr-lift-block-axle-alignment-plate/

https://www.offroaddesign.com/1-zero-rate-add-a-leaf-kit-3-wide.html

 

[Broncobowsher]

That is a good suggestion but as a budgetary move I was just going to get the whole spring/shock package from one of the vendors instead of custom made. Custom made probably out of my price range. Thank you.

Won't know until you check.

 

[bmbm]

Won't know until you check.

True. Use to be a spring company not to far from me I could inquire.

 

[bmbm]

I went with something similar to these:

https://dufftuff.com/product/lubr-lift-block-axle-alignment-plate/

https://www.offroaddesign.com/1-zero-rate-add-a-leaf-kit-3-wide.html

Thanks, looking into these.

 

[chuckji]

Yep, the Duff LUBR Lift Blocks.

 

[bmbm]

Yep, the Duff LUBR Lift Blocks.

Nice pic, thank you. Lot of good stuff under your Bronco.

 

[cldonley]

I went with something similar to these:

https://dufftuff.com/product/lubr-lift-block-axle-alignment-plate/

https://www.offroaddesign.com/1-zero-rate-add-a-leaf-kit-3-wide.html

Thanks for the tip on duff lift block. That's pretty sweet.

 

[eb-nutt1]

With 30-31" tires(probably 29.5") in real life, why are you wanting to relocate the rear axle? My dad ran 31's on his 69 luber for years on a stock height WH suspension kit,ran logging roads hunting, never any issues...I'm currently rebuilding the rig with a 2.5" suspension/1" body and moved the axle back 1" to clear the front fender edges running 33×10.50, on the uncut fenders.

Brian

 

[Teal68]

I moved mine back 1" for 33's by drilling the u-bolt plate and axle perch. I don't think you'd need to move it with smaller tires. The 33's just barely grabbed the front of the rear openings prior to moving back 1".

 

[nvrstuk]

Thanks for the tip on duff lift block. That's pretty sweet.

Lot's of guys here on the West Coast use RuffStuff plates for moving the axle back an inch or so especially if they need to change the pinion angle.

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/srch.html

 

[lars]

Lot's of guys here on the West Coast use RuffStuff plates for moving the axle back an inch or so especially if they need to change the pinion angle.

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/srch.htm

Linky doesn't work. You mean like this, Brian? https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/R2033.html

 

[nvrstuk]

Yup, thanks Lars!


Most every link or part # I've typed today isn't working... like my brain today- bad cold as of this am.

If you need to rotate the rear yoke for pinion angle they have those also that allow you to move the axle to the rear

 

[bmbm]

With 30-31" tires(probably 29.5") in real life, why are you wanting to relocate the rear axle? My dad ran 31's on his 69 luber for years on a stock height WH suspension kit,ran logging roads hunting, never any issues...I'm currently rebuilding the rig with a 2.5" suspension/1" body and moved the axle back 1" to clear the front fender edges running 33×10.50, on the uncut fenders.

Brian

Partly due to aesthetics. I have always noticed how the tire is closer to the front fender opening and if springs will be replaced it should be fairly easy to move back at that time. So personal preference to some degree. Thank you.

 

[bmbm]

I moved mine back 1" for 33's by drilling the u-bolt plate and axle perch. I don't think you'd need to move it with smaller tires. The 33's just barely grabbed the front of the rear openings prior to moving back 1".

Partly due to aesthetics. I have always noticed how the tire is closer to the front fender opening and if springs will be replaced it should be fairly easy to move back at that time. So personal preference to some degree. Thank you.

 

[bmbm]

Lot's of guys here on the West Coast use RuffStuff plates for moving the axle back an inch or so especially if they need to change the pinion angle.

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/srch.html

Yeah I like those and they are reasonably priced. Thank you.